Job security rules change

Academic staff will be reviewed for increased job security sooner, under new rules recently approved by the Academic Staff Assembly and submitted to the UW System Board of Regents.

The rule changes also lengthens the time academic staff have to appeal a job loss and increases the notice they must be given of a layoff resulting from a funding loss.

Though the changes take effect as the state economy puts some of the university’s finances in jeopardy, academic staff leaders say the changes should not be seen as a signal that layoffs are imminent.

“We have sought these changes for some time as a way to increase job security for academic staff,” says Ann Wallace, chair of the academic staff assembly’s personnel policies and procedures committee says.

Academic staff members not holding terminal appointments can now request consideration for increased job security at any time during their appointment, and will receive automatic consideration annually after five years of service. In the past, automatic consideration was given after seven years of service.

Increased job security comes in three forms: multiple-year, rolling horizon or indefinite appointments.

Employees holding terminal appointments will be evaluated prior to the end of their appointments.

In addition, academic staff facing layoffs because of a funding loss must be given two to four weeks more notice than in the past, meaning they will receive between one and four months’ notice.

Although the new rules take effect immediately, the Board of Regents has 90 days to oppose any of the new policies.